“Where does this street lead?” someone asks. Today, we explore Rue du Chevalier Franu00e7ais. This street in Lille has a story that winds through time.
Rue du Chevalier Franu00e7ais was opened in 1867. It runs parallel to Rue de la Louviu00e8re. The street starts from Rue du Faubourg-de-Roubaix. It heads towards the old hamlet of Buisson.
Let’s jump back to the 19th century. Imagine Rue du Chevalier Franu00e7ais as a path to fields. In 1874, it had only a doctor and an industrial soap factory. Later, the Guyot foundry workshops moved to number 8. Then came the Defrance pump factory.
The street has seen changes. The buildings of Defrance were demolished in 2013. A new residence took their place. Its facades still spark debate today.
If you look closely, you’ll see the row of houses on the left. It has been preserved. However, the opposite side once held an industrial building. This is no more. Now, collective housing stands there. Today, Rue du Chevalier Franu00e7ais ends in a cul-de-sac.
The street’s name might pique your interest. An estaminet called “The French Knight” stood at the corner of Rue du Faubourg de Roubaix. This was at the angle of Rue St Gabriel. It stood where the Cru00e9dit Mutuel is today.
Saint-Maurice Pellevoisin has transformed over time. Once a mix of countryside and industry, it is now largely residential. Rue du Chevalier Franu00e7ais reflects this evolution.
Getting here is easy. Several bus lines serve Rue du Chevalier Franu00e7ais. You can take the 13, 50, or L5. The closest bus stop is St Maurice Pellevoisin. It is only a five-minute walk. The tram station Saint Maur is a seven-minute walk.
The metro station Caulier is about 17 minutes away on foot.
The street is not just a route. It is a passage through Lille’s history. It connects the past with the present. It embodies the changes in this area. Rue du Chevalier Franu00e7ais is more than just a street. It is a piece of Lille’s story.